5 on Friday - Set 132

Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.

This time next week, I'll be sitting at my booth

A 49

at the Indie Artist Alley, Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario signing copies of SAINT SANGUINUS and BOUND BY DRAGONSFYRE. I'll also have prints of my mom's watercolor ink piece, Stare of the Dragon available. 

If you're in the Toronto area from Aug 23-26, hope you can join me at Fan Expo!

Thurs - Aug 23 - 2:00 to 9:00

Fri - Aug 24 - 9:30 to 7:00

Sat - Aug 25 - 9:30 to 7:00

Sun - Aug 26 - 9:30 to 5:00 

In the spirit of Fan Expo and dark fantasy heroes like Scorpius, my falconer's apprentice fighting to stay one step ahead of deadly political intrigue, here's a set of my favorite fantasy film themes.

1 - Harry Potter theme - Hedwig's theme - composed by John Williams

2 -  Game of Thrones theme - composed by Ramin Djawadi

3 - Lord of the Rings theme- The Bridge of Khazad Dum - composed by Howard Shore  

4 - 300 theme - Message for the Queen - composed by Tyler Bates

5 - Xena: Warrior Princess theme - composed by Joseph LoDuca

Thursday Thirteen - 183 - 13 of My Favorite Films and TV Shows That Showcase The Soldier's Experience

As many of you know, my birthday is also a national day of mourning and remembrance. For some people, that might seem like a real downer, but it never has for me.

Perhaps it's because my dad was in the army and I was delivered by a captain in an army hospital. Perhaps it's because my birthday is the day when arms were laid down and a peace treaty signed.

Inside of my heart there has always been an intense connection with soldiers of every time period, of every land. Nothing makes me cry at the drop of a hat quicker than the mention of the grave of the Unknown Soldier.

I strive to be a diplomat in my dealings with people, but in reality I've been called a hard-ass by more than one person. I do the unpleasant stuff when it has to be done. I'm approached to handle things in much the same way as a sergeant is the mediator between the officers and the ranks.

I pretty much think of myself as a living banner for that Unknown Soldier. I honor him, and her, in my heart every day of the year.

No surprise, then, that I've always been attracted to films and TV shows that feature the soldier's life. My dad and I used to spend my birthday watching old war movies on TV, when he'd tell me all sorts of fascinating historical tidbits. For today's Thursday Thirteen, here are thirteen of my favorites, including a bonus TV spot that airs in Canada at this time of year.

NOTE: All clips contain strong violence, some clips contain very strong language.

1 - 300

CLICK HERE to watch video clip














2 - Gladiator




3 - Rob Roy




4 - Horatio Hornblower




5 - The Patriot




6 - Sharpe




7 - The Lighthorsemen




8 - Passchendaele




9 - Band of Brothers




10 - Platoon




11 - Original Star Trek: The Omega Glory




12 - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

CLICK HERE to watch video clip










13 - Star Wars: The Phantom Menace




Bonus - Royal Canadian Mint commemorative coin commercial




Photo of Canada Bereft at the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France by Mshulist

Canada Bereft by sculptor Walter Seymour Allward